Illumination device, illumination unit, and image processing system

ABSTRACT

An illumination device includes illumination units for irradiating light on an object and a substrate member, which is an example of a holding mechanism for detachably holding the illumination units according to a predetermined disposition rule. The substrate member has a connection part for electrically connecting with a controller. The substrate member holds a part of the illumination units by linking parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Japan Patent ApplicationNo. 2018-045332, filed on Mar. 13, 2018. The entirety of theabove-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by referenceherein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The disclosure relates to an illumination device, an illumination unit,and an image processing system.

BACKGROUND Description of Related Art

In the field of FA (Factory Automation), etc., an image processingtechnology for imaging an object (hereinafter also referred to as a“workpiece”) under illumination by light from an illumination device andobtaining information regarding the workpiece from the generated imagehas been put to use.

A variety of illumination devices have been developed as illuminationdevices used in the field of image processing technology. For example,Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-313146 (Patent Document 1) disclosesan illumination device in which a plurality of red light sources, greenlight sources, and blue light sources are arranged in a ring shape withtheir optical axes oriented vertically.

Related Art Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open No. 2006-313146

The pattern of light irradiated from the illumination device isdetermined according to various factors such as the type of the object,the content of the image processing, and the relative positionalrelationship between the object, the camera, and the illuminationdevice. In the illumination device disclosed in Patent Document 1, sinceeach light source is fixed on the illumination device, even if there isan unused light source, the unused light source cannot be detached. As aresult, even if there is an unused light source, the cost of this lightsource is spent. Also, since the light sources are fixed, the degree offreedom of the illumination device is low.

SUMMARY

According to an example of the disclosure, an illumination device forirradiating light on an object in image measurement which performs anappearance inspection of the object is provided. The illumination deviceincludes: illumination units for irradiating light on the object; aholding mechanism for detachably holding the illumination unitsaccording to a predetermined disposition rule; and a connection part forelectrically connecting with a controller which performs a lightingcontrol of the illumination units held by the holding mechanism.

According to another example of the disclosure, an illumination unitincluded in an illumination device for irradiating light on an object inimage measurement which performs an appearance inspection of the objectis provided. The illumination unit includes: a holding mechanism to bedetachably held at a predetermined position of the illumination device;and a connection part for electrically connecting with a controllerwhich performs a lighting control of the illumination device.

According to still another example of the disclosure, an imageprocessing system for performing image measurement with use of anappearance image of an object is provided. The image processing systemincludes: an imaging part for imaging the object and generating theappearance image; an illumination device for irradiating light on theobject; and a controller for controlling the illumination device and theimaging part. The illumination device includes: illumination units forirradiating light on the object; a holding mechanism for detachablyholding the illumination units according to a predetermined dispositionrule; and a connection part for electrically connecting with thecontroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the imageprocessing system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of the imageprocessing system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of the illuminationdevice.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the substrate member.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of theillumination unit.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing other forms of the connection partof the illumination unit and of the linking part of the substratemember.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a plurality types of the illumination unitsclassified according to the irradiated light.

FIG. 8 is an XZ sectional view of the illumination device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the substratemember and the illumination units for specifying the types of theillumination units.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration ofthe controller.

FIG. 11 is a user interface screen at the time of illumination setting.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the illumination setting area.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are diagrams showing an example of a flow for settingthe lighting conditions.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams showing a display of the illuminationsetting area according to the connection statuses of the illuminationunits.

FIG. 15 is a user interface screen for displaying results of theconnection statuses of the illumination units.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modified example of the holdingmechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As described above, the disclosure provides an illumination device witha high degree of freedom in design, an illumination unit for increasingthe degree of freedom of the illumination device, and an imageprocessing system including an illumination device with a high degree offreedom in design.

According to the disclosure, the illumination units are detachablyattached, which can therefore increase the degree of freedom in theillumination design. Further, it is sufficient to prepare only theillumination units necessary for realizing irradiation patterns to beirradiated, and the cost can be reduced.

In the above disclosure, the holding mechanism may include a substratemember provided with a plurality of linking parts detachably linked toend parts of the illumination units according to the predetermineddisposition rule, and the end parts are provided at positions differentfrom light emitting surfaces of the illumination units.

According to the disclosure, since the locations for attaching theillumination units are designed in advance, the attachment is easy.

In the above disclosure, the connection part may be formed integrallywith the substrate member. Further, the lighting control of theillumination unit may be performed by the controller by connecting theend part of the illumination unit to one linking part among theplurality of linking parts.

According to the disclosure, the electrical connection and themechanical connection can be integrated, and the structure can besimplified, and the design of the illumination device becomes easy.

In the above disclosure, the holding mechanism may be formed integrallywith the illumination units and may link the plurality of illuminationunits to one another according to the predetermined disposition rule.

According to the disclosure, since the substrate member is notnecessary, the shape of the entire illumination device can be madesmaller.

In the above disclosure, the illumination units may include: firstillumination units whose dominant wavelength to be irradiated is a firstwavelength; and second illumination units whose dominant wavelength tobe irradiated is a second wavelength different from the firstwavelength.

According to the disclosure, the illumination device having differentdominant wavelengths of the irradiated light can be created throughcombinations of the illumination units, and the versatility of theillumination device is increased.

In the above disclosure, the illumination units may includeidentification mechanisms for identifying which illumination units amongthe first illumination units and the second illumination units are held.

According to the disclosure, since the types of the illumination unitscan be determined, it can be specified which types of the illuminationunits have been attached or are to be attached, and the usability isincreased.

In the above disclosure, the illumination units may include:illumination units having housings in a first shape; and illuminationunits having housings in a second shape different from the first shape.

According to the disclosure, the variation of the irradiation patternsat the time of irradiation can be increased, and the versatility of theillumination device is increased.

According to the disclosure, the degree of freedom of the illuminationdevice can be increased.

According to the disclosure, the image processing system including theillumination device with a high degree of freedom in design can beprovided.

The disclosure can provide the illumination device with a high degree offreedom in design, the illumination unit for increasing the degree offreedom of the illumination device, and the image processing systemincluding the illumination device with a high degree of freedom indesign.

The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thedisclosure will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionrelated to the disclosure, which will be understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

§ 1 Applicable Example

An applicable example of the disclosure will be described with referenceto FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of animage processing system 1. The image processing system 1 is a system forperforming image measurement with use of an appearance image of anobject W. The image processing system 1 includes a camera 8, which is anexample of an imaging part for imaging the object W; an illuminationdevice 4, which is an example of an illumination device for irradiatinglight on the object W; and a controller 100 for controlling the camera 8and the illumination device 4.

In addition, FIG. 1 also shows a perspective view of the illuminationdevice 4 when viewed from the bottom. The illumination device 4 includesillumination units 6 for irradiating light on the object W and asubstrate member 2, which is an example of a holding mechanism fordetachably holding the illumination units 6 according to a predetermineddisposition rule. The substrate member 2 has a connection part 22, whichis an example of a connection part for electrically connecting with thecontroller. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the substrate member 2 holdsa part of the illumination units 6 by linking parts 24 of the substratemember 2.

Here, the “predetermined disposition rule” does not mean that theillumination units 6 can be attached as desired but means that in a casewhere the illumination units 6 are attached to the substrate member 2,the positions where the illumination units 6 are attached arepredetermined, and the “predetermined disposition rule” is not limitedto a case where the disposition locations are regular.

Further, the method of holding the illumination units 6 by the substratemember 2 is not limited to the method shown in FIG. 1, and theillumination units 6 may be held in any method as long as theillumination units 6 are configured to be attached mechanically.

Further, although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the illuminationunits 6 are held by being attached to the substrate member 2, theillumination units 6 may be configured to hold one another by beinglinked to one another. Even in such a case, the “predetermineddisposition rule” does not mean that the relative positionalrelationship among the illumination units 6 can be set as desired butmeans that the positional relationship is limited to a certain extent,and the “predetermined disposition rule” is not limited to a case wherethe linking order is predetermined.

In this way, the illumination device 4 shown in FIG. 1 can attach theillumination units 6 according to the predetermined disposition rule.Therefore, it is sufficient to prepare only the illumination units 6necessary for realizing irradiation patterns to be irradiated, and thecost can be reduced. Further, the illumination units 6 are detachablyattached, which can therefore increase the degree of freedom inillumination design.

§ 2 Specific Example

<A. Configuration of Image Processing System>

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of the imageprocessing system 1. The image processing system 1 includes thecontroller 100, the camera 8, and the illumination device 4 as maincomponents. The controller 100 and the camera 8 are connected to eachother in a way that allows data communication. The illumination device 4is controlled by the controller 100 via the camera 8. It is notnecessarily configured that the illumination device 4 is controlled bythe controller 100 via the camera 8, and the illumination device 4 maybe directly controlled by the controller 100.

In the following, for ease of description, the direction in which lightis irradiated from the illumination device 4 is defined as the Z axis,and the horizontal direction on the paper is defined as the X axis, andthe axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Z axis is defined as the Yaxis. Further, the side where light is irradiated is defined as thelower side.

The camera 8 is an imaging part for imaging a subject which exists in animaging visual field and for generating an image. The camera 8 includesan optical system such as a lens, an aperture, etc. and a lightreceiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, aCMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, etc. asmain components.

The controller 100 can inspect the presence or absence of defects anduncleanness on the object W; measure the size, disposition, orientation,etc. of the object W; and perform image processing such as recognitionof characters and figures attached on the surface of the object W; and,in addition, can receive settings of contents of the image processing.The settings of the contents of the image processing include settings ofimaging conditions at the time of obtaining the image and settings ofprocessing contents to be executed on the image. The settings of theimaging conditions include a lighting setting for the illuminationdevice 4 and a camera setting for the camera 8. The controller 100functions as a device for setting the lighting setting for theillumination device 4. Further, a setting support device for setting thelighting setting for the illumination device 4 may be provided inaddition to the controller 100.

The controller 100 is electrically connected to a display part 102 and amouse 104 which functions as an input part for inputting informationrelated to various settings. The display part 102 is typically composedof, for example, a liquid crystal display to display setting contents toa user. For example, the user can input setting information related tothe settings of the contents of the image processing and can set varioussettings by operating the mouse 104 based on the information displayedon the display part 102. Although the input part has been configured bythe mouse 104, the input part may be configured by a keyboard or a touchpanel or a combination thereof. Further, although the example in whichthe controller 100, the display part 102, and the mouse 104 areseparately formed has been described, at least a part of them may beintegrally formed.

<B. Configuration of Illumination Device>

A configuration of the illumination device 4 will be described withreference to FIGS. 3 to 6C. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining theconfiguration of the illumination device 4.

The illumination device 4 includes a plurality of illumination units 6,the holding mechanism for holding the illumination units 6, and thesubstrate member 2 having the connection part 22 for electricallyconnecting with the controller 100. In the example shown in FIG. 3,although the illumination device 4 including the plurality ofillumination units 6 has been taken as an example, the illuminationdevice 4 functions if at least one illumination unit 6 is attached tothe substrate member 2.

The illumination units 6 are detachably held by the holding mechanism ofthe substrate member 2 according to the predetermined disposition rule.FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the substrate member 2. As shown in FIG. 4,the substrate member 2 includes a plurality of linking parts 24 formechanically linking with the illumination units 6. The plurality oflinking parts 24 are provided on the substrate member 2 according to thepredetermined disposition rule. Here, the plurality of linking parts 24are not necessarily disposed side by side with regularity, and it issufficient that they are disposed so that the illumination units 6 canbe attached to each of the linking parts 24 disposed at adjacentpositions.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each circumference of aplurality of concentric circles having different diameters on a lowersurface side of the substrate member 2 is provided with four linkingparts 24, and, as shown in FIG. 3, an upper surface side of thesubstrate member 2 is provided with one linking part 24. Further, anopening part 26 is provided in the center of the substrate member 2 sothat the camera 8 can image the object W from above the illuminationdevice 4. In addition, some reference numerals are omitted in FIG. 4.Further, each of the linking parts 24 is configured by a plurality ofholes and holds the illumination unit 6 with each of the holes insertedwith pins provided on the illumination unit 6.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of theillumination unit 6. In FIG. 5, the illumination unit 6 connected to thelower surface side of the substrate member 2 will be described as anexample. The illumination unit 6 includes a housing 62, a plurality oflight sources 64, and a diffusion plate 66.

It is sufficient to provide at least one light source 64, and the lightsources 64 are installed on the housing 62. The light sources 64irradiate light with power supplied from the controller 100 via theconnection part 22 of the substrate member 2.

The light irradiated from the light sources 64 is irradiated via thediffusion plate 66. Therefore, the diffusion plate 66 functions as alight emitting surface. Here, the light emitting surface is a surfacelocated at the boundary between the illumination unit 6 and the outsidewhen the light from the light sources 64 is irradiated to the outside ofthe illumination unit 6 and is not necessarily defined by a physicalsubstance such as the diffusion plate 66.

A connection part 68, which functions as an end part detachablyconnected to the linking part 24 of the substrate member 2, is providedon the housing 62 at a position different from the light emittingsurface. The connection part 68 is configured to be inserted into thelinking part 24 of the substrate member 2 and engaged with the linkingpart 24, and the connection part 68 and the linking part 24 aremechanically connected. Further, in the present embodiment, theconnection part 68 and the linking part 24 also have a function ofelectrically connecting the substrate member 2 and the illumination unit6. Since the substrate member 2 and the controller 100 are electricallyconnected by the connection part 22 of the substrate member 2, theillumination unit 6 can be electrically connected to the controller 100by the connection part 68, the linking part 24 and also the connectionpart 22 of the substrate member 2 and can supply power from thecontroller 100 to the light sources 64. Here, the connection part 68 istypically a spring pin, for example.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing other forms of the connection part68 of the illumination unit 6 and of the linking part 24 of thesubstrate member 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connectionpart 68 is configured by a plurality of elongated pins, that is,configured by so-called spring pins, but other configurations may beadopted. In FIGS. 6A to 6C, only connection modes are enlarged andshown. For example, the connection mode may be configured by aBoard-to-board (B-to-B) connector for connecting substrates to eachother, as shown in FIG. 6A. Further, although the connection part 68 andthe linking part 24 have the function of mechanically connecting thesubstrate member 2 and the illumination unit 6 and the function ofelectrically connecting the substrate member 2 and the illumination unit6, the two functions may be realized by different connection mechanisms.For example, in addition to using the connection mechanism formed by thespring pins and the B-to-B connector shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A forelectrical connection, a snap-fit type connection mechanism shown inFIG. 6B or a screw type connection mechanism shown in FIG. 6C may alsobe used for mechanical connection. Further, the mechanical connectionmay use both the snap-fit type connection mechanism and the screw typeconnection mechanism.

By realizing the mechanical connection and the electrical connectionwith different connection mechanisms, the illumination unit 6 can bestably fixed to the substrate member 2. On the other hand, by realizingthe mechanical connection and the electrical connection with oneconnection mechanism, a simple structure is made possible, and as aresult, the burden required for connection can be reduced.

In FIG. 5, the illumination unit 6 connected to the lower surface sideof the substrate member 2 has been described as an example, but anillumination unit 6 a functioning as coaxial incident illumination asshown in FIG. 3 may be provided above the opening part 26 of thesubstrate member 2. The illumination unit 6 a, when installed on thesubstrate member 2, includes on its upper surface an opening part 61 awhich allows the camera 8 to image the object from above theillumination device 4. The illumination unit 6 a is installed on theupper surface of the substrate member 2 so that the opening part 61 a ofthe illumination unit 6 a is disposed at a position facing the openingpart 26 of the substrate member 2.

That is, in the present embodiment, the illumination units 6 aredetachably held on the substrate member 2 by the holding mechanismconfigured by the connection parts 68 and the linking parts 24. Theillumination units 6 can be detachably connected to positions where thelinking parts 24 are provided. As a result, it is sufficient to prepareonly the illumination units 6 necessary for realizing irradiationpatterns to be irradiated, and the cost can be reduced. Further, sincethe illumination units 6 can be held by the holding mechanism accordingto the predetermined disposition rule, the number and disposition of theillumination units 6 can be adjusted, and as a result, the illuminationdevice with a high degree of freedom can be provided.

<C. Types of Illumination Units 6>

The illumination units 6 can be classified according to differences inthe dominant wavelength of light irradiated from the illumination units6, that is, colors of the irradiated light. FIG. 7 is a diagram showinga plurality types of the illumination units 6 classified according tothe irradiated light. FIG. 7 shows schematic diagrams of cross-sectionalviews of the illumination units 6. The illumination units 6 can beclassified into red illumination units 6 r for irradiating red light,green illumination units 6 g for irradiating green light, blueillumination units 6 b for irradiating blue light, and whiteillumination units 6 w for irradiating white light.

The red illumination units 6 r include only red light sources 64 r. Thegreen illumination units 6 g include only green light sources 64 g. Theblue illumination units 6 b include only blue light sources 64 b. Thewhite illumination units 6 w may have the red light sources 64 r, thegreen light sources 64 g and the blue light sources 64 b, or may havewhite light sources. Further, it is sufficient that various types of theillumination units 6 have the colors of the irradiated light differentfrom one another; the colors of the irradiated light may be changed by,for example, providing a color filter on the diffusion plate 66.

Further, the illumination units 6 can also be classified according todifferences in optical design. For example, the illumination units 6 canbe classified into the illumination unit 6 a (with reference to FIG. 3)which functions as the coaxial incident illumination and theillumination units 6 which do not change the direction of lightirradiated from the light sources 64.

Further, the illumination units 6 can also be classified according todifferences in the shape of the housing 62. For example, theillumination units 6 can be classified into three types according to theshape of the upper surface which is a bonding surface with the substratemember 2. Also, the three types of the illumination units 6 havingdifferent shapes of the upper surfaces have different heights anddifferent shapes of the diffusion plates 66, which are the shapes of thelower surfaces, from one another. Specifically, among the threeconcentric circles having different diameters and provided on thesubstrate member 2, the shape of the upper surfaces of the illuminationunits 6 connected to the linking parts 24 disposed on the circumferenceof the circle having the largest diameter, the shape of the uppersurfaces of the illumination units 6 connected to the linking parts 24disposed on the circumference of the circle having the medium-sizeddiameter, and the shape of the upper surfaces of the illumination units6 connected to the linking parts 24 disposed on the circumference of thecircle having the smallest diameter are different from one another.

FIG. 8 is an XZ sectional view of the illumination device 4. In theillumination device 4 shown in FIG. 8, the illumination units 6 areprovided on all of the plurality of linking parts 24 provided on thesubstrate member 2. As shown in FIG. 8, in a case where the three typesof the illumination units 6 (6 c, 6 d and 6 e) having different shapesof the upper surfaces and with the respective heights and shapes of thelower surfaces (the diffusion plates 66) are attached to thecorresponding linking parts 24, it is configured that a surface formedby a plurality of diffusion plates 66 forms a dome shape.

<D. Mechanism for Specifying Types of Illumination Units 6>

The illumination units 6 are classified into a plurality of typesaccording to the differences in the dominant wavelength of theirradiated light, the differences in the optical design, the differencesin the shape of the housing 62, etc. For this reason, there is a concernthat the user may not know among the attached illumination units 6,which type of the illumination unit 6 among the plurality types of theillumination units 6 is attached to each of the plurality of linkingparts 24. In order to solve such a problem, each of the illuminationunits 6 includes an identification mechanism for specifying the type ofthe illumination unit 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the substratemember 2 and the illumination units 6 for specifying the types of theillumination units 6. The substrate member 2 includes a CPU 210 forperforming a lighting control of the light sources 64 included in theillumination units 6 attached to the illumination device 4 according toa command from the controller 100, transistors 220 for passing currentsto the attached illumination units 6, and a comparator 230 functioningas a specifying part for specifying the types of the illumination units6.

A current sent from a power supply voltage Vd is sent to each of thetransistors 220 provided corresponding to each of the plurality oflinking parts 24. Each of the transistors 220 corrects the current sentfrom the power supply voltage Vd according to a signal sent from the CPU210 and supplies a current Vi to the illumination unit 6 held at thecorresponding linking part 24.

One input terminal of the comparator 230 receives an input of areference voltage Vref. The other input terminal of the comparator 230is connected to a switch 240. The switch 240 is provided between thecomparator 230 and the linking parts 24. The switch 240 switches thelinking parts 24 connected to the comparator 230 according to aswitching signal from the CPU 210. In a case where the connected linkingparts 24 hold the illumination units 6, the illumination units 6 areconnected to the comparator 230 via the connected linking parts 24.

The illumination units 6 include different resistors R_(i) havingdifferent resistance values for each type. For example, in the exampleshown in FIG. 9, the red illumination units 6 r include resistors R₁,and the green illumination units 6 g include resistors R₂. That is, thetypes of the illumination units 6 can be specified by specifying thetypes of the resistors R_(i). In other words, the resistors R_(i)corresponding to the types of the illumination units 6 function as theidentification mechanisms of the illumination units 6.

Each resistor R_(i) is connected to the comparator 230 via the linkingpart 24 and the switch 240. The comparator 230 sends to the CPU 210 acomparison result between voltages which have passed through theresistors R_(i) and the reference voltage Vref. The CPU 210 transmits tothe controller 100 channel information indicating the sent comparisonresult and channels CH (ch1˜ch13) connected when the comparison resultis obtained. Here, each of the channels ch1˜ch13 is connected to adifferent linking part 24, respectively. Therefore, the channelinformation is also information indicating which linking part 24 amongthe plurality of linking parts 24 is connected.

Since the controller 100 can specify approximate values of the voltagesbased on the comparison result, the controller 100 can specify the typesof the resistors R_(i). In addition, since the controller 100 candetermine which illumination unit 6 held by which linking part 24 amongthe plurality of linking parts 24 the comparison result is for based onthe channel information, the controller 100 can specify which type ofthe illumination unit 6 is held by which linking part 24. Further, thesubstrate member 2 may have this function.

<E. Functional Configuration of Controller>

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration ofthe controller 100. The controller 100 includes a specifying part 110,which specifies the positions where the illumination units 6 areattached and the types of the attached illumination units 6; and areception means 120, which displays information on the display part 102and receives an operation by the mouse 104.

The specifying part 110 can specify which types of the illuminationunits 6 are held by which linking parts 24. In other words, thespecifying part 110 can specify the positions where the illuminationunits 6 are connected. Further, the specifying part 110 can specify thetypes of the connected illumination units 6.

Specifically, the specifying part 110 receives the comparison result andthe channel information from the illumination device 4. The specifyingpart 110 compares the resistance values of the resistors R_(i) set foreach type of the illumination units 6 with the resistance valuesobtained from the comparison result and searches to which resistorsR_(i) the resistance values obtained from the comparison result areclassified. The specifying part 110 specifies the types of theillumination units 6 connected to the positions corresponding to thechannel information based on the search result.

Further, the specifying part 110 may be configured to specify only thepositions where the illumination units 6 are connected. The specifyingpart 110 associates information of the positions where the illuminationunits 6 are connected with information of the types of the illuminationunits 6 connected to the positions and stores the information asattachment pattern information 134 in a memory part 130. The memory part130 may be, for example, a built-in memory of the controller 100 or maybe an external memory. The external memory may be a memory that can beinserted directly into the controller 100 or may be a server that iscommunicably connected to the controller 100.

Further, the memory part 130 stores the resistance values of theresistors R_(i) set for each type of the illumination units 6 asillumination model information 132. The illumination model information132 is information in which the types of the illumination units 6 andthe resistance values of the resistors R_(i) are associated with eachother. The resistance values of the resistors R_(i) may have a range.

The reception means 120 controls display contents displayed on thedisplay part 102 and also receives information from the mouse 104. Thereception means 120 displays attachment patterns on the display part 102based on the attachment pattern information 134, that is, based on thepositions specified by the specifying part 110. Specifically, thereception means 120 displays a lightable area, which is an area wherethe illumination units are connected and can be lit, and an unlightablearea, which is an area where the illumination units are not connectedand cannot be lit, in different modes. In addition, the reception means120 can receive settings of the lighting conditions for the lightablearea via the mouse 104. Upon receiving the settings of the lightingconditions, the reception means 120 stores the received lightingconditions 136 in the memory part 130.

The controller 100 may include a power supply part 140 and adetermination part 150. The power supply part 140 supplies power to theillumination units 6 connected to the substrate member 2 which is a partof the illumination device 4. The determination part 150 determinesexcess or deficiency of the power supplied from the power supply part140 to the illumination units 6 connected to the illumination device 4and outputs the determination result. Specifically, the determinationpart 150 determines by comparing an amount of power, which is necessaryfor driving all the illumination units 6 connected to the substratemember 2 and is calculated based on the attachment pattern information134, and an amount of power supplied from the power supply part 140. Anoutput destination is, for example, the display part 102. In addition,the output destination is not necessarily the display part 102, and maybe, for example, a terminal, a printer, etc. communicably connected tothe controller 100.

The controller 100 may include a comparison part 160. The comparisonpart 160 compares connection statuses of the illumination units 6specified by the specifying part 110 with connection modes of theillumination units for satisfying the lighting conditions 136 stored inthe memory part 130 and outputs the comparison result. An outputdestination is, for example, the display part 102. In addition, theoutput destination is not necessarily the display part 102, and may be,for example, a terminal, a printer, etc. communicably connected to thecontroller 100.

Further, the lighting conditions 136 stored in the memory part 130 maybe received by the reception means 120 via the mouse 104 or may bestored in an external memory in advance. The connection modes of theillumination units for satisfying the lighting conditions 136 mayindicate the lighting conditions 136 themselves. In addition, thecomparison part 160 may judge whether or not the lighting conditions 136can be satisfied under the connection statuses specified by thespecifying part 110 without clarifying the connection modes.

For example, in a case where a lighting condition requiring the coaxialincident illumination is stored in the memory part 130 but theillumination unit 6 a corresponding to the coaxial incident illuminationis not connected, the comparison part 160 outputs that the illuminationunit 6 a corresponding to the coaxial incident illumination is notconnected.

Each of these functional configurations is realized by the CPU of thecontroller 100 executing a setting program stored in an internal memory,etc. included in the controller 100.

<F. User Interface>

In the present embodiment, the illumination units 6 are detachably heldby the holding mechanism such as the connection parts 68 and the linkingparts 24. That is, the illumination units 6 can be detachably connectedto the positions where the linking parts 24 are provided. As a result,it is sufficient to prepare only the illumination units 6 necessary forrealizing the irradiation patterns to be irradiated, and the cost can bereduced.

At this time, since there are a plurality of attachment patterns of theillumination units 6 when the lighting conditions of the illuminationdevice 4 to which the illumination units 6 are attached are determined,a user interface for setting according to the attachment patterns isrequired. FIG. 11 is a user interface screen 300 at the time ofillumination setting. Here, the attachment patterns are defined by thepositions where the illumination units 6 are held and by the types ofthe held illumination units 6. Further, the display mode of the userinterface screen 300 shown in FIG. 11 is controlled by the receptionmeans 120.

The user interface screen 300 shown in FIG. 11 includes an illuminationsetting area 320, an OK button 340, a cancel button 360, and a lightingstate confirmation area 380.

When the OK button 340 is operated after various buttons included in theillumination setting area 320 are operated and the lighting conditionsare set, the controller 100 stores the set lighting conditions in a harddisk, which is included in the controller 100 as the memory part, or inthe memory part 130 such as a server communicably connected to thecontroller 100. On the other hand, when the cancel button 360 isoperated, the set lighting conditions are cleared.

The lighting state confirmation area 380 displays the image obtained bythe camera 8. The image displayed in the lighting state confirmationarea 380 is updated in real time. When the user operates various buttonsor various icons included in the illumination setting area 320 and setsthe lighting setting, the controller 100 instructs the illuminationdevice 4 to be lit according to the contents of the set lightingsetting. That is, the controller 100 updates the lighting setting of theillumination device 4 in real time. As a result, the lighting stateconfirmation area 380 displays the image when the illumination device iscontrolled by the lighting setting set by the user by operating variousbuttons or various icons included in the illumination setting area 320.In this way, the user can determine the lighting conditions whilechecking the image obtained under the set lighting conditions.

The lighting state confirmation area 380 includes an entirety displayarea 381, a display control icon group 383, and an image display area384. The entirety display area 381 and the image display area 384display the image obtained by the camera 8. The entirety display area381 displays an entirety of the image of the object independently of adisplay scope in the image display area 384. The entirety display area381 shows an image of a display scope 382 to be displayed in the imagedisplay area 384. The display scope 382 is changed according to a useroperation (such as enlargement or shrinkage) with respect to the displaycontrol icon group 383, and the display scope and the display resolutionof the image displayed in the image display area 384 are changedaccording to the user operation with respect to the display control icongroup 383.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the illumination setting area 320.The illumination setting area 320 includes a pattern selection button322, an adjustment mode selection area 330, a setting content displayarea 350, an adjustment target selection area 370, and a luminanceadjustment area 390.

When the pattern selection button 322 is operated, the controller 100specifies which types of the illumination units 6 are attached to whichpositions on the substrate member 2 based on the information regardingthe types of the illumination units 6 obtained from each channel CH. Forexample, the controller 100 instructs the CPU 210 included in thesubstrate member 2 to obtain the comparison result for each channel CH.In this way, the controller 100 can obtain the comparison result foreach channel CH and specifies the attachment patterns, which are theconnection statuses of the illumination units 6, based on the comparisonresult.

Further, the controller 100 displays the attachment patterns of thespecified illumination units 6. Specifically, the controller 100graphically displays the attachment patterns in the setting contentdisplay area 350. FIG. 12 shows a display example in a case where theillumination unit 6 a functioning as the coaxial incident illuminationis not attached and all the illumination units 6 are installed on thelinking parts 24 provided on the lower surface side of the substratemember 2. As shown in FIG. 12, when the area where the illuminationunits 6 are attached is defined as the lightable area 352 in theillumination device 4, the lightable area 352 and the unlightable area354 where the illumination units 6 are not attached are shown indifferent modes.

The phrase “shown in different modes” includes displaying only thelightable area 352 without showing the unlightable area 354; further, asshown in FIG. 12, it is not limited to a graphical display but may bedisplayed by words. For example, the positions where the linking parts24 are provided may be represented by words such as numerals, and thelightable area and the unlightable area may be represented byrepresenting words corresponding to the linking parts 24 where theillumination units 6 are attached in black words and representing wordscorresponding to the linking parts 24 where the illumination units 6 arenot attached in gray words. In the example shown in FIG. 12, theunlightable area 354 is indicated by a broken line, and the lightablearea 352 is indicated by a solid line. In addition, some referencenumerals are omitted in FIG. 12.

The adjustment mode selection area 330 includes buttons for selectingmethods for adjusting the lighting conditions. Specifically, a shapebutton 332 and a channel button 334 are included. When the shape button332 is selected, the display of the adjustment target selection area 370is switched to a display for selecting selectable irradiation patterns.When the channel button 334 is selected, the display of the adjustmenttarget selection area 370 is switched to a display for adjusting thelighting conditions of the illumination units 6 attached to thesubstrate member 2 one by one. In the example shown in FIG. 12, thechannel button 334 is selected. Here, the numbers shown in the column of“Position” inside the adjustment target selection area 370 and thenumbers shown in the setting content display area 350 are numbersindicating each of the channels CH. That is, the numbers shown in the“Position” column and the numbers shown in the setting content displayarea 350 are in a corresponding relationship. Specifically, in a casewhere a position indicating “0” is selected, the lighting conditions ofthe area to which “0” is attached can be adjusted.

Here, the irradiation patterns are modes of light irradiated from theillumination device 4. Specifically, the irradiation patterns aredefined by the lit positions, the colors of the lit light, and theintensities of the lit light. The selectable irradiation patterns meanthe irradiation patterns that can be selected depending on the positionswhere the illumination units 6 are attached and/or the types of theattached illumination units 6.

The luminance adjustment area 390 includes various buttons for adjustingthe intensity of the light irradiated from the illumination units 6selected as an adjustment target in a case where the adjustment targetis selected by various buttons included in the adjustment targetselection area 370. Specifically, the luminance adjustment area 390includes a collective luminance adjustment bar 392 for adjusting theluminance of all the light sources 64 regardless of the types of thelight sources 64, a red luminance adjustment bar 394 for adjusting theluminance of the red light sources 64 r, a green luminance adjustmentbar 396 for adjusting the luminance of the green light sources 64 g, anda blue luminance adjustment bar 398 for adjusting the luminance of theblue light sources 64 b.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are diagrams showing an example of a flow for settingthe lighting conditions. When the pattern selection button 322 isoperated, as shown in FIG. 13A, the setting content display area 350displays the attachment patterns graphically, and the adjustment targetselection area 370 displays selectable areas according to the attachmentpatterns.

FIG. 13A shows a display example in a case where the illumination unit 6a functioning as the coaxial incident illumination is not attached andall the illumination units 6 are installed on the linking parts 24provided on the lower surface side of the substrate member 2. Further, acase where 13 linking parts 24 are provided on the substrate member 2 isdescribed. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the shape button 332 isselected. The adjustment target selection area 370 presents candidatesof the selectable irradiation patterns according to the attachmentpatterns.

In the example shown in FIG. 13A, since the illumination unit 6 afunctioning as the coaxial incident illumination is not attached, theirradiation pattern of “Co-axis,” which is a candidate of theirradiation pattern that cannot be satisfied unless the coaxial incidentillumination is provided, cannot be selected. Further, the irradiationpattern of “Co-axis” is an irradiation pattern for lighting only theillumination unit 6 a which is the coaxial incident illumination. In theexample shown in FIG. 13A, a button corresponding to the irradiationpattern which cannot be selected is indicated by a broken line. Further,the irradiation pattern that cannot be selected may not be displayed inthe adjustment target selection area 370 or may be displayed in a modedifferent from the mode shown in FIG. 13A.

When the user selects one irradiation pattern among the irradiationpatterns presented in the adjustment target selection area 370 byoperating the mouse 104 which is the input part, as shown in FIG. 13B, alighting area to be lit for realizing the selected irradiation patternis displayed in a mode different from other areas. Specifically, when“Lower part” is selected, the controller 100 displays an area located inthe outermost shape in the setting content display area 350 and theother areas in different modes. In this way, the user can recognizewhich illumination units 6 are to be lit according to the selectedirradiation pattern.

The controller 100 may be configured to be able to adjust only theluminance corresponding to adjustable colors according to the types ofthe illumination units 6 included in the lighting area. Specifically,among the luminance adjustment bars included in the luminance adjustmentarea 390, the controller 100 can operate only the luminance adjustmentbars of the colors of the illumination irradiated from the illuminationunits 6 included in the lighting area. In the example shown in FIG. 13B,all the illumination units 6 attached to the outermost circumferenceinclude only the blue light sources 64 b. In this case, the controller100 may show the red luminance adjustment bar 394 and the greenluminance adjustment bar 396 in a mode indicating that they cannot beselected. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the unselectable redluminance adjustment bar 394 and the unselectable green luminanceadjustment bar 396 are indicated by broken lines. In other words, theselectable irradiation patterns are displayed according to the types ofthe illumination units 6.

FIG. 13C is a display example when the luminance is adjusted byoperating the blue luminance adjustment bar 398 in the state shown inFIG. 13B. As shown in FIG. 13C, the setting content display area 350reflects the state where the luminance is adjusted. For example, theselected area is displayed in a mode fully colored in blue.

FIG. 13D is a display example when the channel button 334 is operated inthe state shown in FIG. 13C. The display of the adjustment targetselection area 370 is switched and displays a mode in which the tabs ofthe channels indicating the positions on the outermost circumference areselected.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams showing the display of the illuminationsetting area 320 according to the connection statuses of theillumination units 6. FIGS. 14A to 14C describe cases where the shapebutton 332 is selected.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing the display of the illumination settingarea 320 in a situation where the illumination units 6 are provided inall of the plurality of linking parts 24 provided on the substratemember 2. Further, in FIG. 14A, the red illumination units 6 r, thegreen illumination units 6 g, and the blue illumination units 6 b areconnected to the substrate member 2.

FIG. 14B is a diagram showing the display of the illumination settingarea 320 in a situation where, among the plurality of linking parts 24provided on the substrate member 2, the illumination units 6 areconnected to all of the linking parts 24 other than the linking part 24to which the illumination unit 6 a functioning as the coaxial incidentillumination is connected. Further, in FIG. 14B, the plurality ofillumination units 6 connected to the substrate member 2 all are thewhite illumination units 6 w.

FIG. 14C is a diagram showing the display of the illumination settingarea 320 in a situation where, among the plurality of linking parts 24provided on the substrate member 2, the illumination units 6 areconnected to all of the linking parts 24 other than the linking part 24to which the illumination unit 6 a functioning as the coaxial incidentillumination is connected and other than all of the linking parts 24disposed on the circumference of the circle having the medium-sizeddiameter. Further, in FIG. 14C, the red illumination units 6 r and theblue illumination units 6 b are connected to the substrate member 2.

Since the candidates of the selectable irradiation patterns changedepending on which linking parts 24 are connected with the illuminationunits 6, as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the display of the adjustmenttarget selection area 370 changes. In FIGS. 14A to 14C, selectionbuttons for the candidates of the selectable irradiation patterns areindicated by solid lines, and selection buttons for the candidates ofthe unselectable irradiation patterns are indicated by broken lines.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, in a situation where theillumination units 6 are provided in all of the plurality of linkingparts 24 provided on the substrate member 2, the user can select all ofthe irradiation patterns illustrated in the adjustment target selectionarea 370. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14B, in a case where theillumination unit 6 a is not attached, the irradiation pattern of“Co-axis” cannot be selected. Further, in FIG. 14C, since theillumination unit 6 a is not attached and all of the linking parts 24disposed on the circumference of the circle having the medium-sizeddiameter are not attached with the illumination units 6, the user canselect neither the irradiation pattern of “Co-axis” nor the irradiationpattern of “Middle part.” That is, the adjustment target selection area370 displays the selectable irradiation patterns according to thepositions where the illumination units 6 are attached.

Further, since the irradiation patterns that can be irradiated varyaccording to the types of the illumination units 6 attached to thesubstrate member 2, the display of the luminance adjustment area 390changes depending on the types of the illumination units 6, as shown inFIGS. 14A to 14C.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, in a case where the red illuminationunits 6 r, the green illumination units 6 g, and the blue illuminationunits 6 b are connected to the substrate member 2, the red luminanceadjustment bar 394, the green luminance adjustment bar 396, and the blueluminance adjustment bar 398 are displayed as the luminance adjustmentbars in the luminance adjustment area 390. On the other hand, as shownin FIG. 14B, in a case where only the white illumination units 6 w areconnected to the substrate member 2, only the white luminance adjustmentbar 399 is displayed as the luminance adjustment bar in the luminanceadjustment area 390. Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, in a case where thered illumination units 6 r and the blue illumination units 6 b areconnected to the substrate member 2, the red luminance adjustment bar394 and the blue luminance adjustment bar 398 are displayed as theluminance adjustment bars in the luminance adjustment area 390. In otherwords, the luminance adjustment area 390 displays the selectableirradiation patterns according to the types of the illumination units 6.

FIG. 15 is a user interface screen 400 for displaying results of theconnection statuses of the illumination units 6.

The user interface screen 400 includes a comparison result display area420 for showing the comparison result of the comparison part 160, adetermination result display area 440 for showing the determinationresult of the determination part 150, and a determination button 460 forstarting the determination.

When the user operates the determination button 460 via the input partsuch as the mouse 104, the comparison result of the comparison part 160is displayed in the comparison result display area 420, and thedetermination result of the determination part 150 is displayed in thedetermination result display area 440.

<G. Modified Example of Holding Mechanism>

The above embodiment shows an example in which the illumination units 6are detachably held on the substrate member 2 having the holdingmechanism. The holding mechanism may be formed integrally with theillumination units and may be configured to link the plurality ofillumination units to one another according to the predetermineddisposition rule. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modified example of theholding mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 16, the illumination unit 6 includes a connection part620 and a linking part 610, wherein the connection part 620 is linked tothe linking part 610 provided on an end part of one illumination unit 6,and the linking part 610 is linked to the connection part 620 of anotherillumination unit.

The plurality of illumination units 6 are held to one another by linkingthe linking part 610 of one illumination unit 6 to the connection part620 of another illumination unit 6. At this time, the plurality ofillumination units 6 cannot be disposed at any relative position, andthe disposition locations are defined by the position of the linkingpart 610 and the position of the connection part 620 provided on each ofthe illumination units 6. In other words, the plurality of illuminationunits 6 are held to one another according to the predetermineddisposition rule.

<H. Modified Example of Identification Mechanism>

In the present embodiment, the identification mechanisms are theresistors R_(i) corresponding to the types of the illumination units 6.The identification mechanisms may be, for example, memories stored withthe identification information regarding the types of the illuminationunits 6 in advance or the shapes of the entirety or a part of theillumination units 6. The illumination device 4 may have a readingmechanism corresponding to the types of the identification mechanisms.

In a case where the resistors R_(i) or the shapes are made to haveidentifiability, since it is unnecessary to provide memories, theillumination units 6 can be produced at low costs. On the other hand,since the illumination units 6 can be finely identified by providingmemories, the classification of the illumination units 6 can be finelyperformed.

Further, marks indicating the types of the illumination units 6 may beprovided on positions which are on the surfaces of the housings 62 ofthe illumination units 6 and are exposed even after being installed tothe illumination device 4.

Further, the function of the specifying part 110 may be included in thesubstrate member 2, that is, in the illumination device 4. For example,the CPU 210 provided in the substrate member 2 may perform the functionas the specifying part 110. Further, a memory may be provided in thesubstrate member 2, and the attachment pattern information 134 stored inthe controller 100 may be stored in the memory.

<I. Modified Example of Illumination Device>

In the present embodiment, in a case where the three types of theillumination units 6 having different shapes of the upper surfaces andwith the respective heights and shapes of the lower surfaces areattached to the corresponding linking parts 24, it is configured that asurface formed by the plurality of diffusion plates 66 forms a domeshape. However, the respective heights of the three types of theillumination units 6 having different shapes of the upper surfaces maybe equal, and shapes of light guide plates of the respectiveillumination units 6 may be shapes matching the shapes of the uppersurfaces. That is, the illumination device 4 may be configured so thatthe shape of the light emitting surfaces formed by the diffusion plates66 is a shape like a so-called ring illumination in a case where theillumination units 6 are attached to all of the plurality of linkingparts 24 provided on the substrate member 2. Further, though the presentembodiment has shown an example in which the linking parts 24 aredisposed in a ring shape, the linking parts 24 may be disposed in arectangular frame shape, and in this case, the shape of the housing 62of the illumination unit 6 may be a rectangular parallelepiped, atruncated square pyramid, etc.

<J. Information Storage Destination>

The present embodiment has described a case where all the information isstored in one memory part 130, but it may be configured that a pluralityof memory parts 130 are provided, and at least a part of a pluralitypieces of information is stored in different memory parts 130.

<K. Action/Effect>

As described above, the illumination units 6 can be attached to theillumination device 4 according to the predetermined disposition rule.Therefore, it is sufficient to prepare only the illumination units 6necessary for realizing the irradiation patterns to be irradiated, andthe cost can be reduced. Further, the illumination units 6 aredetachably attached, which can therefore increase the degree of freedomin the illumination design.

The holding mechanism for the illumination units 6 is configured byattaching the connection parts 68 provided on the illumination units 6to the linking parts 24 provided on the substrate member 2. Since thelocations for attaching the illumination units 6 are designed inadvance, the attachment is easy.

The connection part 22 for electrically connecting with the controller100 is provided on the substrate member 2, and the illumination units 6and the controller 100 are electrically connected by attaching theillumination units 6 to the substrate member 2, and the lighting controlof the illumination units 6 is performed by the controller 100. In otherwords, it is unnecessary to electrically connect the controller 100 withthe illumination units 6 one by one, and the electrical connection andthe mechanical connection can be integrated, and the structure can besimplified, and the design of the illumination device 4 becomes easy.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the illumination units 6 may be heldby being linked to one another even when the substrate member 2 is notprovided. Since the substrate member 2 is not necessary, the shape ofthe entire illumination device 4 can be made smaller.

The illumination units 6 include the red illumination units 6 r, whichare an example of first illumination units whose dominant wavelength ofirradiated light is a first wavelength; and the green illumination units6 g and the blue illumination units 6 b, which are an example of secondillumination units whose dominant wavelength of irradiated light is asecond wavelength different from the first wavelength. Therefore, theillumination device 4 having different dominant wavelengths of theirradiated light can be created through combinations of the illuminationunits 6, and the versatility of the illumination device 4 is increased.

The illumination units 6 have different resistors R_(i) depending on thetypes of the illumination units 6. Since the types of the illuminationunits 6 can be determined by specifying the types of the resistorsR_(i), the user can specify which types of the illumination units 6 havebeen attached or are to be attached, and the usability is increased.

The illumination units 6 include the plurality types of the illuminationunits 6 having different shapes of the housings 62. Therefore, thevariation of the irradiation patterns at the time of irradiation can beincreased, and the versatility of the illumination device 4 isincreased.

Further, the controller 100 includes the specifying part 110 forspecifying the positions where the illumination units 6 are attached andthe reception means 120. The reception means 120 presents the lightablearea 352 and the unlightable area 354 in different modes based on thepositions specified by the specifying part 110 and also receives thesettings of the lighting conditions for the lightable area 352. In thisway, since the controller 100 presents the lightable area 352 and theunlightable area 354 in different modes, the user can easily recognizethe area that can be lit, and as a result, the user can set theillumination setting easily.

Further, in a case where the shape button 332 is selected, theadjustment target selection area 370 presents the candidates of theselectable irradiation patterns according to the attachment patterns ofthe illumination units 6. Then, it is configured that one irradiationpattern can be selected from the candidates. Therefore, it is onlynecessary to select from the irradiation patterns that can be actuallyirradiated, and the lighting setting becomes easier as compared with acase where the lighting setting is set for the attached illuminationunits 6 one by one.

In addition, types of adjustable luminance are presented according tothe types of the attached illumination units 6. In other words, theselectable irradiation patterns are presented according to the types ofthe illumination units 6. Therefore, the user can be prevented fromerroneously setting lighting conditions that cannot be set in a casewhere the irradiation patterns that can be set differ according to thetypes of the attached illumination units 6, thereby increasing theusability.

The controller 100 includes the power supply part 140 and thedetermination part 150. The determination part 150 determines whetherall of the attached illumination units 6 can be lit based on the powersupplied by the power supply part 140 and outputs the determinationresult. Therefore, the user can know in advance whether the attachedillumination units 6 can be lit.

The controller 100 further includes the comparison part 160 forcomparing the lighting conditions 136 stored in the memory part 130 withthe connection statuses of the illumination units 6 specified by thespecifying part 110 and outputting the comparison result. Therefore, theuser can know in advance whether the way of attaching the illuminationunits 6 is correct. For example, in a case where the image measurementis performed under common lighting conditions at a plurality of sites,it is necessary to assemble a plurality of illumination devices 4 withthe same attachment pattern. In this case, there is also a concern ofmaking mistakes in the way of assembly. In such a case, since errors inthe way of assembly can be output in advance by the comparison part 160,the user can recognize the errors in the way of assembly at an earlystage.

Further, the image processing system 1 includes the camera 8. The imageimaged by the camera 8 under the lighting conditions received by thereception means 120 is displayed. Therefore, the user can determine thelighting conditions while checking the image obtained under the setlighting conditions.

<L. Appendix>

As described above, the present embodiments include the followingdisclosure.

[Configuration 1]

An illumination device (4) for irradiating light on an object (W) inimage measurement which performs an appearance inspection of the object(W), including:

an illumination unit (6) for irradiating light on the object (W);

a holding mechanism (24, 68, 610, 620) for detachably holding theillumination unit (6) according to a predetermined disposition rule; and

a connection part (22) for electrically connecting with a controller(100) which performs a lighting control of the illumination unit (6)held by the holding mechanism (24, 68, 610, 620).

[Configuration 2]

The illumination device according to configuration 1, wherein theholding mechanism includes a substrate member (2) provided with aplurality of linking parts (24) detachably linked to an end part (68) ofthe illumination unit (6) according to the predetermined dispositionrule, and the end part (68) is provided at a position different from alight emitting surface (66) of the illumination unit (6).

[Configuration 3]

The illumination device according to configuration 2, wherein theconnection part (22) is formed integrally with the substrate member (2),and

the lighting control of the illumination unit (6) is performed by thecontroller (100) by connecting the end part (68) of the illuminationunit (6) to one linking part (24) among the plurality of linking parts.

[Configuration 4]

The illumination device according to configuration 1, wherein theholding mechanism (610, 620) is formed integrally with the illuminationunit (6) and links a plurality of illumination units (6) to one anotheraccording to the predetermined disposition rule.

[Configuration 5]

The illumination device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4,wherein the illumination unit (6) includes:

a first illumination unit (6 r) whose dominant wavelength to beirradiated is a first wavelength; and

a second illumination unit (6 g, 6 b) whose dominant wavelength to beirradiated is a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

[Configuration 6]

The illumination device according to configuration 5, wherein theillumination unit (6) includes an identification mechanism (R_(i)) foridentifying which illumination unit among the first illumination unit (6r) and the second illumination unit (6 g, 6 b) is held.

[Configuration 7]

The illumination device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6,wherein the illumination unit (6) includes:

an illumination unit (6 c) having a housing (62) in a first shape; and

an illumination unit (6 d, 6 e) having a housing (62) in a second shapedifferent from the first shape.

[Configuration 8]

An illumination unit (6) included in an illumination device (4) forirradiating light on an object (W) in image measurement which performsan appearance inspection of the object (W), including:

a holding mechanism (68) to be detachably held at a predeterminedposition of the illumination device; and

a connection part (68) for electrically connecting with a controllerwhich performs a lighting control of the illumination device.

[Configuration 9]

An image processing system (1) for performing image measurement with useof an appearance image of an object (W), including:

an imaging part (8) for imaging the object (W) and generating theappearance image;

an illumination device (4) for irradiating light on the object (W); and

a controller (100) for controlling the illumination device (4) and theimaging part (8),

wherein the illumination device (4) includes:

-   -   an illumination unit (6) for irradiating light on the object        (W);    -   a holding mechanism (24, 68, 610, 620) for detachably holding        the illumination unit (6) according to a predetermined        disposition rule; and    -   a connection part (22) for electrically connecting with the        controller (100).

Each of the embodiments disclosed herein is exemplary and should not beconstrued restrictive in all aspects. The scope of the disclosure isdefined by the claims instead of the above descriptions, and it isintended to include the equivalent of the scope of the claims and allmodifications within the scope. In addition, the disclosure describedwith the embodiments and each of the modified examples is intended to beimplemented independently or with combinations thereof within thepossible scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination device for irradiating light onan object in image measurement which performs an appearance inspectionof the object, comprising: a light source-irradiating light on theobject; a holding mechanism for detachably holding the light sourceaccording to a predetermined disposition rule, the light source isdetachable for adjusting the number and disposition of light sourcesheld by the holding mechanism; and a mechanical connector electricallyconnecting with a hardware controller which performs a lighting controlof the light source held by the holding mechanism, wherein the lightsource comprises: a first light source whose dominant wavelength to beirradiated is a first wavelength; and a second light source whosedominant wavelength to be irradiated is a second wavelength differentfrom the first wavelength, and wherein the first light source and thesecond light source respectively comprises a first resistorcorresponding to the first light source and a second resistorcorresponding to the second light source for identifying which lightsource among the first light source and the second light source is held,the hardware controller identifies which light source among the firstlight source and the second light source is held by the holdingmechanism according to the first resistor and the second resistor; aswitch coupled to the first resistor and the second resistor; acomparator coupled to the switch and the hardware controller, the switchswitches the first resistor and the second resistor connected to thecomparator according to a switching signal, the comparator comparesvoltages provided by the first resistor and the second resistor with areference voltage and generates comparison results; and a displaycoupled to the hardware controller, the hardware controller controls thedisplay to display irradiation patterns according to the comparisonresults, wherein the irradiation patterns indicate characteristics ofthe light irradiated by the illumination device.
 2. The illuminationdevice according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism comprises asubstrate member provided with a plurality of linking parts detachablylinked to an end part of the light source according to the predetermineddisposition rule, and the end part is provided at a position differentfrom a light emitting surface of the light source.
 3. The illuminationdevice according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical connector is formedintegrally with the substrate member, and the lighting control of thelight source is performed by the hardware controller by connecting theend part of the light source to one linking part among the plurality oflinking parts.
 4. The illumination device according to claim 1, whereinthe holding mechanism is formed integrally with the light source andlinks a plurality of light sources to one another according to thepredetermined disposition rule.
 5. The illumination device according toclaim 1, wherein the light source comprises: a light source having ahousing in a first shape; and a light source having a housing in asecond shape different from the first shape.
 6. The illumination deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the light source comprises: a light sourcehaving a housing in a first shape; and a light source having a housingin a second shape different from the first shape.
 7. The illuminationdevice according to claim 3, wherein the light source comprises: a lightsource having a housing in a first shape; and a light source having ahousing in a second shape different from the first shape.
 8. Theillumination device according to claim 4, wherein the light sourcecomprises: a light source having a housing in a first shape; and a lightsource having a housing in a second shape different from the firstshape.
 9. An image processing system for performing image measurementwith use of an appearance image of an object, comprising: a cameraconfigured to image the object and generating the appearance image; anillumination device for irradiating light on the object; and a hardwarecontroller configured to control the illumination device and the imagingpart, wherein the illumination device comprises: a light sourceirradiating light on the object; a holding mechanism for detachablyholding the light source according to a predetermined disposition rule,the light source is detachable for adjusting the number and dispositionof light sources held by the holding mechanism, wherein the light sourcecomprises: a first light source whose dominant wavelength to beirradiated is a first wavelength; and a second light source whosedominant wavelength to be irradiated is a second wavelength differentfrom the first wavelength, and wherein the first light source and thesecond light source respectively comprises a first resistorcorresponding to the first light source and a second resistorcorresponding to the second light source for identifying which lightsource among the first light source and the second light source is held,the hardware controller identifies which light source among the firstlight source and the second light source is held by the holdingmechanism according to the first resistor and the second resistor; aswitch coupled to the first resistor and the second resistor; acomparator coupled to the switch and the hardware controller, the switchswitches the first resistor and the second resistor connected to thecomparator according to a switching signal, the comparator comparesvoltages provided by the first resistor and the second resistor with areference voltage and generates comparison results; and a displaycoupled to the hardware controller, the hardware controller controls thedisplay to display irradiation patterns according to the comparisonresults, wherein the irradiation patterns indicate characteristics ofthe light irradiated by the illumination device; and a mechanicalconnector electrically connecting with the hardware controller.